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Toddlers can be fun vacation companions. Their excitement and curiosity about the world mean that you donâ??t have to spend a fortune to please them. Toddlers can also be unruly and temperamental at times, which means you have to plan carefully when considering vacation destinations. Help ensure your family enjoys its vacation by traveling to one of these toddler-friendly places.

Southern California

Southern California tops many people's list when it comes to family vacations. While Anaheim's Disneyland immediately comes to mind when thinking of where to take kids, the crowds and sheer enormity of the park can feel overwhelming and overstimulating for toddlers. Itâ??s best to find attractions and activities that are less crowded and easier to navigate--but that doesnâ??t mean you have to skip the amusement park scene.rnrnAdventure City in Anaheim, just minutes from Disneyland, is a small and well-equipped amusement park exclusively designed for children ages 6 and under. Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is another toddler-friendly attraction, and if you get there early in the morning, there's plenty of space for little ones to wander up to tanks for easy viewing. Don't forget the beaches; toddlers can spend hours digging and playing in the sand, while parents can enjoy some down time. A good beach for toddlers is \"Mother's Beach,\" located in Long Beach, with calm waters and plenty of lifeguard towers, an excellent interactive playground, grassy and shady picnic areas and easy access to restrooms.

Franklyn D. Resort and Spa, Jamaica

If youâ??re craving a vacation where you check into your hotel and never leave until you have to check out, an all-inclusive resort is the perfect choice. Franklyn D. Resort and Spa in Jamaica, known as FDR, is popular with parents who have toddlers. FDR offers spacious family suites with separate sleeping, living and dining areas, and it has plenty of amenities. An excellent toddler program offers supervised activities for kids, while parents can spend some relaxing time together. Swimming and wading pools, beach activities, nighttime entertainment and an excellent meal and drink plan, including several kidsâ?? meal options, is included. One of the best features of FDR is the Vacation Nanny: a specially trained staff member assigned exclusively to your family. She will assist with meal times, rinse out swimsuits and take care of every need your family has.rnrnFranklyn D. Resort and SparnMain StreetrnRunaway Bay 99999rnJamaicarn(800) 654-1fdrrnfdrholidays.com

Smugglers' Notch

If a winter getaway to the snow is in your plans, head to Smugglers' Notch resort in Vermont, one of the East Coast's best ski resorts for families. Along with excellent skiing and snowboarding for adults, Smugglers' Notch features an awardwinning childrenâ??s program--toddlers will be entertained and cared for in a million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility offering everything a parent could hope for. Toddlers over age two and a half can learn to ski in the â??Little Rascals on Snowâ? program. Along with other family fun activities, such as sledding, tubing, ice skating and indoor swimming, the resort offers excellent dining and entertainment options, spa facilities and family-style condominium accommodations.rnrnSmugglers' Notchrn4323 Vermont 108rnJeffersonville, VT 05464rn(800) 419-4615rnsmuggs.com

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About the Author

Lisa Brei is a freelance writer who has written for "Los Angeles Family" magazine, "L.A. Parenting" magazine and various nonprofit newsletters and blogs. She frequently covers education, family travel, gardening, children's health and infertility. Brei holds a Master of Arts in education from University of California, Los Angeles.

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